Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

by
Giancoli, Douglas C.

Published by
Pearson

ISBN 10:
0-32162-592-7

ISBN 13:
978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 7 - Linear Momentum - Questions: 25

Answer

Assume the nucleus is initially stationary, and has zero momentum. If the nucleus broke into only two particles, then by conservation of momentum, the momenta of the two decay products would have to cancel, to keep the final momentum equal to zero. For these 2 momentum vectors to add to zero, they must lie along a line.

Work Step by Step

Observing that the recoil nucleus and the electron don’t fly out in exactly opposite directions implies that at least one other particle must carry some momentum.